Pitfalls in aircraft purchasing?

I'm thinking of buying an airplane. How can I ensure that there are no
leins or money owed on the airplane and that the title is completely clear?
I've checked the FAA database and the registerd owner is the vender,but I
want to be careful. How do I go about this?

On Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:19:21 +0000 (UTC), Elevensies wrote
in :

I'm thinking of buying an airplane. How can I ensure that there are no
leins or money owed on the airplane and that the title is completely clear?
I've checked the FAA database and the registerd owner is the vender,but I
want to be careful. How do I go about this?

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association provides that service for a
reasonable fee: http://www.aopa.org
http://www.aopa.org/members/ftmag/ar...fm?article=258

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association provides that service for a
reasonable fee:http://www.aopa.orghttp://www.aopa.o...fm?article=258

This works well as long as the plane is operated and registered in the
U.S.

I used the service a number of years ago when I bought from a Canadian
owner and it was a waste of money as there is apparently not a
national lien database there that AOPA has access to - they could
check only the province in which the plane was located.

Besides a "title search", check with FAA records for any 337 forms. Damage
history of the plane can sometimes be found on a 337 (I've seen logbooks
with 337s conveniently "missing"). You'll need the A/C serial number.
SOmetimes 337s can be for a minor reason, as when switching to a "Brackett"
brand air filter, or installin copper cables to replace aluminum.. If you
see a 337 with "Replaced nose with part number xxx, and installed two new
props, retract test OK" plane has damage Hx.
"Elevensies" wrote in message
.. .
I'm thinking of buying an airplane. How can I ensure that there are no
leins or money owed on the airplane and that the title is completely
clear?
I've checked the FAA database and the registerd owner is the vender,but I
want to be careful. How do I go about this?

Elevensies wrote:
I'm thinking of buying an airplane. How can I ensure that there are no
leins or money owed on the airplane and that the title is completely clear?
I've checked the FAA database and the registerd owner is the vender,but I
want to be careful. How do I go about this?

There are companies that do title searches for aircraft (mostly based in
OKC). The FAA has a list of them here :

http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certific...ia/8050-55.pdf


You can also request copies of all records filed for a specific aircraft.
The FAA will send you a CD with the documents for $10. Details here :

http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certific...craft_records/


John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)

--
Message posted via http://www.aviationkb.com

I used AOPA and when I went to sell it there was 2 that they missed. They
said they didn't matter because there was no money owed. The guy buying it
is loan company found them. It took 5 months to clear it and the only way
was the dealer that sold it was a stand up guy and put quite a bit of time
going to the bank that had the liens or whatever they were.
The best way is finance the plane and then pay it off. The finance company
will find it.

"Elevensies" wrote in message
.. .
I'm thinking of buying an airplane. How can I ensure that there are no
leins or money owed on the airplane and that the title is completely
clear?
I've checked the FAA database and the registerd owner is the vender,but I
want to be careful. How do I go about this?